The council has shuffled around the contentious matter for
years and decided in a 6-3 vote not to offer residents the buyout last month.
Councilwomen Tara Wicker and Chauna Banks-Daniel reintroduced the item to
Wednesday's agenda, saying they've reached out to most of the residents who agree the matter should be settled after 20 years of litigation.

Greg Mitchell, spokesman for the residents living next to
the plant, said they don't want to rush into a settlement until they know the full buyout terms.

"Let's get it right the first time because this
administration has gotten so many things wrong," Mitchell said.

The settlement would have authorized the city-parish to buy
out 44 homes within the University Place subdivision. It also included funds
for relocation costs and for the construction of a natural buffer zone around
the North Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Residents have objected to the plan, saying they want exact
figures on how much each citizen will get for their homes. City officials say
they can't do appraisals on the property until the parish moves forward with
the buyout plan.